Sympathy Flowers to Bring Comfort, Made by a Local Florist
Flowers sent to the home are a gentle way to let someone know they are not alone after losing a loved one. Each bouquet, arrangement and plant is made by hand by a florist who knows the craft, and delivered to the door with your message on a card.
The meaning of sending sympathy flowers
Words often fail us after a death. Flowers carry what is hard to say: that you are thinking of the family and share a little of their sadness. They are a way to express your condolences when you can't be there in person, and a way to show compassion without asking anything in return. Unlike a funeral tribute, which goes to the service, these flowers are for the people left behind. They brighten someone’s kitchen table and offer comfort on the quiet days, when the visitors have gone home. That small gesture can make all the difference. Long after the flowers were delivered, families remember who thought of them.
Bouquets, vase arrangements and plants
A hand-tied sympathy bouquet arrives wrapped and ready to go straight into a vase. Our white rose bouquet pairs white roses with lisianthus and eucalyptus, and the lilac one uses lilac roses, stock and statice. Both start from £43.99.
If the family has little time to arrange flowers, choose a floral design already in its container: the pink lily and rose design from £43.99, our blush and lilac and white and green arrangements from £49.49, or a memorial design around an ivory pillar candle from £44.00. Wicker baskets start at £43.99, and the family can keep the basket.
A sympathy plant lasts far longer than cut flowers and can offer solace for months. Our white and pink orchid plants, with their arching flower spikes, and the flowering hydrangea start at £32.99. Phalaenopsis plants are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Choosing white, pastel or brighter flowers
The shade you pick sets the tone. White is the most common sympathy choice, a timeless colour that stands for peace and remembrance, and its calm elegance suits almost any family. Blush, lilac and cream feel gentle without being sombre. The rose speaks of love and respect, white lilies have long been linked with mourning, and the chrysanthemum is a traditional flower of remembrance in much of Europe. You can also honour the person who died with a favourite flower or the colours they loved, or simply pick flowers the family will enjoy having in the house. If they have a cat, avoid lilies, which are toxic to cats.
What to write on the card
Every order includes a card, and it is where you convey your condolences in your own words. Keep the condolence message short and heartfelt. "Thinking of you all at this difficult time" or "With love and deepest sympathy" is enough, and a line about a happy memory can be a real comfort. You don't need a long greeting or perfect words, and you don't need a luxury bouquet either: a beautiful bouquet sent with a thoughtful sympathy note says everything. Our guide on what to write on funeral flowers has more ideas.
When and where to send them
Having sympathy flowers delivered to the family's home works best either in the first days after the death or a week or two later, when the first wave of sympathy has passed and support often fades. If you hear the news late, don't worry: flowers that arrive weeks later are as welcome as those sent promptly. Many people also send flowers around an anniversary or birthday. If you would rather send a tribute to the service itself, consider a funeral spray, a sheaf or a wreath, which go to the funeral director.
Delivery from a florist near the family
Every order is a local delivery, made near the recipient and taken to the door on the date you choose, any weekday or Saturday from tomorrow onwards. We don't deliver on Sundays or bank holidays, or to AB10 postcodes, and we don't offer same-day delivery. Flower delivery across the UK is one charge of £12.49 per order to one address, added at checkout. Most designs come in Standard, Preferred and Elegant sizes; the larger sizes add more stems of the same flowers. Flowers are seasonal, and some are harder to find in autumn and winter, so if one bloom is not available, it may be replaced by a flower of the same colour and style, of equal or greater value.
Questions about sending flowers to a grieving family
Who should I send sympathy flowers to?
Send them to the closest family of the person who died, such as a partner, parent or child, or to a friend or colleague as they grieve.
How soon can the flowers arrive?
The earliest we can deliver is next-day, on any day from Monday to Saturday. Sundays and bank holidays are not available.
How much does a bouquet or plant cost?
Our plants start at £32.99, and bouquets, baskets and arrangements start at £43.99. The Preferred and Elegant sizes cost more because they add more stems. Delivery is £12.49 per order, added at checkout.
How long will the flowers last?
Kept in fresh water away from direct heat, cut flowers usually last about a week, and often longer if the water is changed every couple of days. A potted phalaenopsis can keep flowering for weeks with very little care.
Can I include a personal message?
Yes. Every order comes with a card carrying your message of sympathy.
Should the flowers be white?
White and soft shades are traditional, but colourful flowers are fine too, especially if the person loved bold, cheerful flowers. A bright bouquet can feel like a little sunshine in a quiet house.
